Site Evaluation

Site Evaluation:

An initial site evaluation may be required due to an illness, spill, or accident. This evaluation may be a proactive measure, or may be required by regulation in an uneventful industrial setting.

Workplace exposures occur under many circumstances. Identifying these exposures involves recognition of causes.

If they are chemical, biological, or physical hazards, DirectCIH industrial hygiene teams arrive on site, rapidly if necessary, to investigate.

Knowledge of processes, observation, and measurement with instruments is conducted. Chemical hazards such as fuels, chemical intermediates, or aerosols require assessment and investigation of areas where levels are highest.

Biological hazards such as mold, bacteria, viruses, endotoxins, or antigens require focus on controlling pathogen transmission, especially in air. Exposed individuals are assigned risk groupings based on National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines.

Where hazards are physical in nature, specific solutions must be found. Included are agents such as heat, noise, radiation, and electricity, and also working conditions involving working surfaces, high work, confined spaces, and excavations.

Field measurements determine the amount and extent of hazard produced by an agent. Process descriptions, observations, and other information is then used in assembling an exposure assessment program.The program is then used to develop:

Effective engineering controls

Administrative controls

Work practices, and/or

Personal protective equipment.

Identifying the need for and proper implementation of controls include the following evaluations: ventilation systems, process changes, material substitution, or the time of day or way a task is accomplished. The evaluation methods employed by DirectCIH effectively reduces exposures.